Kids compete to harness Wind Power at Challenger Learning Center

Students from throughout Central Illinois tested their science, technology, and engineering skills at the Challenger Learning Center at Heartland Community College in the KidWind Renewable Energy Challenge. 

Over 100 area middle school and high school students gathered at Heartland’s Challenger Learning Center (CLC) on Friday, February 27, 2026, to design and build a model wind turbine. Teams tested their model in a wind tunnel set up in the Astroth Community Education Center on the Heartland campus. Staff from Heartland Community College's Renewable Energy program were on hand to lend advice to teams as they create their model. 

Professionals from the renewable energy industry served as judges, evaluating each team’s work and picking winners.

“This is a unique opportunity for kids to develop STEM skills while gaining the benefit of the renewable energy educators and students at Heartland,” said Dr. Julia Ossler, Director of Heartland’s Challenger Learning Center. “Thousands of students participate in immersive educational experiences each year at the Challenger Learning Center. Events like the KidWind Challenge help make the connection between STEM learning and careers in industries like wind energy, electric vehicles, solar energy, and many others.”

In the high school division, first place was awarded to Normal Community High School Team No. 3, and second place went to Normal Community High School Team No. 2.

In the middle school division, Bement Middle School’s Bulldog Land team captured first place, while Holy Cross Crusader Current team earned second place.

First- and second-place finishers in both divisions received invitations to compete at the World KidWind Challenge, May 17-20 in Madison, Wis.

The Judge’s Award, recognizing overall knowledge, workmanship, and turbine design, was presented to Normal Community High School Team No. 1.

The Spirit of KidWind Award was awarded to Bement High School’s Monarch team, honoring a student who competed as a one-person high school team and demonstrated perseverance throughout the day.

Participating junior high and middle schools included DeLand Weldon, Glendale Elementary (East Peoria), Bement, Lincoln Elementary, Holy Cross (Champaign), and Thomas Metcalf (Normal). High school teams represented Normal Community, Bement, Woodland CUSD 5 in Streator, and Blue Ridge High School (Farmer City). 

In August of 2025, the KidWind Renewable Energy Challenge was recognized with the national Arthur C. Clarke Award for Innovation in Education. This year’s challenge will be the third year Heartland’s Challenger Learning Center has conducted the event. 

The KidWind Challenge is supported by a CREATE grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and sponsored by Four Creeks Wind, EDP, Invenergy, Orsted, and Apex. 

The mission of the Challenger Learning Center is to engage secondary school students and teachers in dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities that strengthen knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), inspire students to pursue careers in these fields, and provide an outlet to learn and apply important life skills. Students from across the Midwest have participated in over 315 STEM experiences, and 7,292 students completed a STEM experience last year.